Can tea tree be diluted (and with what) for arthritis pain?

I would like to know if I can use Tea Tree oil for arthritis pain. I understand it should be diluted, but, with what?

Editors Reply:

Susan. Great question!

There are several things you can dilute tea tree oil with, or perhaps more accurately, add tea tree oil to, that may give some added relief to arthritis pain.

If you are currently using an over the counter pain rub like capsaicin or menthol creams, adding tea tree oil may help in penetrating the skin more quickly.

You can test this out in two ways. One, put a drop of tea tree oil on a cotton swab or q-tip, and apply it to your cheek. Within about 30 seconds you should be able to taste the tea tree oil in your mouth. This is because some of the components of the oil are able to quickly pass through the skin.

Another test is to get a child's balloon, and after inflating it, apply a drop of tea tree oil to the balloon, but watch out! The balloon will very quickly pop as the tea tree oil dissolves the latex bonds.

Another oil that can be mixed with tea tree oil that shows some promise is Plai Oil from Thailand. It's a member of the ginger family and has been shown in some instances to reduce pain noticeably.You may not have the same result though.

Plai Oil has an earthy wood scent to it, and would mix well with other stimulating oils. Adding it to tea tree oil, clove oil, black pepper oil, and mixing them all in a carrier oil base might provide a soothing rub.